20 trees of hope for Rheenendal Primary

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The pupils of a primary school near Knysna that was struck by tragedy on 24 August 2011 when 14 learners and their bus driver drowned after the school bus plunged into Kasat-se-Drift on their way to school, have promised to become “more connected to the planet”.

Rheenendal Primary School recently received a lesson in sustainability from dairy producer First Choice and the environmental NPO GreenPop, who planted 20 trees at the school during a planting workshop as part of the First Choice “It’s all good” campaign.

Greenpop plants trees through urban greening and reforestation projects, spreads environmental awareness, and activates people through festivals and workshops across Southern Africa.

The organisation aims to connect people with the planet, each other and themselves.

According to Woodlands Dairy/First Choice general manager for sales and marketing Tinus Pretorius, the campaign resonates with everything Greenpop stands for: an ethos of sustainability, good environmental practices, ethical business and quality dairy products.

“The planting workshop is an extension of this. We believe in the need to balance the pursuit of business success together with making the world a better place.

Rheenendal Primary School recently received a lesson in sustainability from dairy producer First Choice and the environmental NPO GreenPop.

"The planet is important to us and we have programmes to ensure sustainability which also encompasses people and profits.

“We live in a time of unprecedented change.

"In business we face challenges and opportunities that are more critical and complex than ever before – where the consequences of failure are unimaginable and the impact of our decisions are felt instantly across the planet.”

Pretorius says involving learners encourages them to spread the message that everyone has to look after the environment. “We hope the message stays with them throughout life.”

To learn more about the wonderful work done by Greenpop go to www.greenpop.org.